The highly-rated 20-year-old defender came through the club's academy ranks before making his first-team debut last season.

That was in the home game against Ipswich Town in August 2014 under former boss Nigel Adkins.

Cooper went to make a total of 19 appearances for the club in 2014/15.

This season, the 6’6” centre-half recovered from injury to make his first start against Everton in the Capital One Cup last month.

Manager Steve Clarke said: "Jake Cooper is yet another product of the Reading academy system and I’m very pleased that he has committed his future to the club.

"He has already shown that he has the ability to play in the first team here and is one of four very good central defenders that we have at the club.

"With the sale of Michael Hector to Chelsea, it was very important to secure Jake on a longer contract as I’m sure he will be a valued player for this club now and in the future."

"Another fine example of a talented young player"

Cooper joined the academy set-up aged 14, signed his first professional contract with the club in June 2013 and went on to star in both our Under-18s’ FA Youth Cup run to the semi-finals and our Under-21s’ Premier League Cup triumph that season.

Last season, the Bracknell-born defender became one of a record number of academy players handed their first team chance, and Cooper grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

Powerful in the air, the former Forest School pupil scored twice at Carrow Road to earn Royals an away win over eventual play-off winners Norwich City.

Chief executive Nigel Howe said: "Jake is another fine example of a talented young player who has come through our academy system to admirably represent our first team.

"He is an excellent role model which all the young academy players at this club should to look to emulate."